MPs: Don't hand more broadband funding to BT

[Simon]

BT must not receive more funding to extend superfast broadband coverage across the UK until the government has ensured there's more competition, MPs have said.

BT is currently the sole bidder in the government's existing £530 million rural broadband programme, which aims to bring superfast internet coverage to 90% of the UK by the end of next year.

The cash has been allocated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to local authorities around the UK, who must find a suitable partner to build out a superfast broadband network. Every contract so far has been won by BT, which has promised its own additional investment of at least £415 million.

That process was slammed by the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee last year, which said the programme had been "mismanaged". Citing a critical National Audit Office report, the committee pointed out the project was behind by two years, and claimed BT didn't offer the best value for money.

Now the government has outlined plans to hand an extra £250 million to councils after 2015, which will help extend superfast coverage to 95% of the population by 2017.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/broadband/387367/mps-dont-hand-more-broadband-funding-to-bt

[Lance]

The problem is other companies have tried to submit tenders but simply have not been competitive.

[mervl]

So who are they going to give it to instead? 

Strange thing is that I was one of the early adopters for altnets. Strangely the only one in the locality. Why? never heard of 'em/too expensive (£12pm)/can't be bothered/won't last (been going ten years)/no choice of ISP, and just about every other excuse in the book. I don't know how us poor consumers manage: we hate BT and don't trust anyone else either. Perhaps the Government should fund us all to go and live on our own little desert islands.

[Steve]

I suppose if we nationalise the BT backbone and continue to invest in it, then third party providers have a chance. Obviously a tongue in cheek comment.